While on safari for tigers, our guide spotted this wonderful bird hunting for snakes! We fired a few shots from the front side, then I asked the driver to move forward to capture a view from the back, un-obstructed.

This bird gave us zero attention, and was completely indifferent regarding our presence. Which gives us lots of time to get the shot!

Special thanks to everyone in India, all my partners, guides, drivers, and superb hotel staff at the Ranthambhore Regency.

We travel south to Quito, and work through 3 superb lodges with all birds in their back yards. Over 600 species available in our area, with Ecuador being the gem of bird species of our entire world. 129 species of hummingbirds alone.

I have prepared a tour package directed specifically for bird photography, but we do have availability for side tour travel, for non-photographers. A complete list of opportunities for partners to visit the culture and history of Ecuador.

All local non-photographer tours will be organized and paid direct to the hosts, as we travel. My program involves photography, superb accommodations, local travel between lodges, and covering all meals.

All guest must be booked in soon, to assure flights, and registrations.

There is so much more to making a good photograph of an animal, then good light. I personally think that the angle, and the distance from the deer to the background in a large factor.

The further back the background is, the more isolated the animals are., also, since these two deer were about the same distance from the sensor, they both were in good focus without having to stop down with the aperture.

When we first stopped, both deer were looking straight at us, out of curiosity .. that was the shot! We couldn't get our cameras up quick enough!

Like we always say - "next time" - the next tour is in April with a much better chance for tiger images.

Many reports suggest that the tiger is doomed, let's hope they are wrong! There are many wild tigers still in India, and I sure hope the procreation continues. While we were there for 2 weeks, we heard of sightings with mating going on, so our return tour in April maybe have some new life for us to photograph.

This cub, and it's sibling were well protected by their mother hiding in the deep grass to stay out of sight, and to stay cool. We did watch the mother trek away from the cubs to hunt, luckily I was able to catch this shot of her.

Taken this past weekend at a workshop that I host here in Ontario, "Raptors in Flight".

My friend owns up to 200+ hawks, falcons, eagles, vultures, owls on his property. We work with him to create spectacular scenes and gather along the flight path to capture these controlled birds in flight.

Each bird is in the air between 15 -25 flights., so lots of opportunity to practice for the ultimate capture. I am there to help everyone with their settings, techniques, and any questions about bird photography.

One of my all time favorite wildlife species.. kingfishers. 86 different types of kingfisher, this one is a beauty! While trekking through the jungles in India, on the watch for tigers, we would find many kingfishers hunting over ponds.

Very difficult to get close to, such a skittish bird. Next time I go, I will bring my Swarovski equipment, for a much better shot.

Many thanks to the good people of India for protecting these cats as well as they have. Lets hope we can venture into these forests, and find Tigers for many generations to come.

We had this Tiger - "Sultan" T-79 for at least 2 full hours before he disappeared in to the thick forest. Anticipating his moves 4 times during this shoot was the key to our success.

He is superb. Totally indifferent to the people and the jeeps trying to catch a glimpse. This cat is the boss.. with such an attitude, that is hard to imagine from a wild creature.

We had so much fun on this tour... I would go back tomorrow if I could!
A big thanks to great friend Thomas Vijayan and my new friend Ravindra Jain - these buddies really made this tour a special experience for myself and my guests.

So, back to work here in Canada - a Raptors in Flight workshop on Saturday!

Best wishes to you, thanks for reading this far, thanks for the comments and shares.

Ok, well I might seem a bit excted these days, but I just returned home from an amazing tour to see the wild tigers of India. A superb tour.. all travel, accommodations, food, services, guides, drivers, parks were awesome. (planning my next visit now!)

We saw this tiger a few times, he walked around like he owned the world. Not at all shy, and not at all aggressive. It looked like he enjoyed all the attention. He might not be the king, but his is in my mind!

A busy week here, 2 more raptor in flight programs Saturday and Sunday, should be fun! Snowy owl and a golden eagle in Flight!

Once this animal passed me, I turned the lens down for the reflection shot. Just a quick guess, it might work? Honestly, I am not crazy about this image, but maybe someone out there will like it? We will see.

Totally wild animal, easily the most magnificent creature on earth as far as I am concerned.

This opportunity has been extraordinary!

We all head home soon, more files to edit, and post online. Another tour will be planned soon, but if you have a group that would like to visit wild Tigers, please let me know.. I do have time soon for a return trip.

Thanks to my friends here in India!

Anu Marwah
Thomas Vijayan
Mohan Thomas

Please visit this amazing hotel, as my great friend
Ravindra Jain will be happy to help you!! The superb service
and excellent rooms will help you enjoy your stay!

This beauty is only 7 months old, learning to work with a falconer for flight show demonstrations. Hosting these workshops (about 65 of them in the last 7 years!) has been a bast.. more dates coming soon.
November 23-23rd, 2014 weekend.

Thanks for looking!

Off to India today, let's hope I can post some new and interesting nature images soon. Can't wait to go!

During recent weeks, we have had about 70 guests to these workshops for "Raptors in Flight" - during the entire program I am helping everyone develop their skills for tracking these amazing performers.

After reviewing about 7,000 images from the October Series, I think this one is a personal favorite. Weighing about 8 pounds, the bald eagle is swift and agile. (not to mention he is spectacular)

Many more dates are planned, so let me know if you are interested.
ray@raymondbarlow.com

I have a tour planned for the Danube Delta area, taking place in early July 2015., please let me know if you would like to join this awesome photography program! Just email me for info!

A vertical shot just works. We try to "follow the lines" for our cropping and composition, so I think a horizontal in the case would not have worked... mainly since I took the photograph in vertical! No more room on the left side.!!

To get the right angle on this bird, so the purple iridescent feather show the color is sometimes difficult, thanks to this beauty for helping me out here! Maybe a touch too warm?

All natural light, and 100% "is what it is" backgrounds in my images.
I have never "switched" a background, and would not even know how!

More then 3 years ago, I spent 3 weeks in India, hosting seminars, and leading photographers to some nice birding locations north of New Delhi. During one of our hikes, a guide spotted this beautiful, and very tiny owl. It is know for it's feather pattern on the back of it's head, that resembles a pair of eyes. this helps elude predators.

I very much enjoyed Pangot and Sat Tal.

I hope to return to India soon, as I have a tour for the Bengal Tiger arranged for November 2014 .. still 2 spots left, I hope you will join me!